Individual differences in self-appraisals and responses to dating violence scenarios.
Previous research suggests that certain types of self-appraisals may predispose individuals to be more or less tolerant of relationship violence. The current study investigates two such appraisals, self-esteem and self-attributions, as correlates of women's responses to hypothetical episodes of relationship violence by their dating partners. Undergraduate women involved in dating relationships (N = 145) reported global self-esteem, attributions for hypothetical partner aggression, and probable responses to the aggression. Results showed that self-esteem and self-attributions emerged as correlates of intentions to forgive violence, whereas only self-attributions emerged as a correlate of intentions to dissolve the relationship. The association between self-attributions and intentions to exit a violent relationship was fully mediated by intentions to forgive the partner. Because self-appraisals may inform prevention programs for women who may experience relationship violence, clinical implications are discussed.
Katz
J
J
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-3013, USA.
Street
A
A
Arias
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003380:Courtship; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*